Topfreedom

Topfreedom is a cultural and political movement seeking changes in laws to allow women to be topless in public places where men and boys are permitted to be barechested, as a form of gender equality. In addition, topfreedom advocates seek allowing nursing mothers to openly breastfeed in public, and women to sun bathe topless.

Social and legal attitudes

Many societies consider women who expose their nipples and areolae as immodest and contrary to social norms. In many jurisdictions a topless woman may be socially or officially harassed or cited for public lewdness, indecent exposure, public indecency or disorderly conduct. Topfreedom advocates seek to change community attitudes to breasts as sex objects or indecent.

Several countries in Europe have decriminalised non-sexual toplessness. Topless swimming and sunbathing on beaches has become acceptable in many parts of Europe, though the practice remains controversial in many places, and not common in most places. Many public swimming pools in Europe are owned by municipalities, which are treated as private organisations and allowed to set their dress codes.